Nectarine tree named &#39;NECTAJOY&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTAJOY’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh having a red pigmentation, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of red blush on skin surface.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2014/3180 filed on Nov. 27, 2014 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica (L.) Batsch

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘NECTAJOY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTAJOY’. This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone orange yellow flesh fruits for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘BIGTOP’ yellow nectarine tree (non patented) for reliable description. ‘NECTAJOY’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTAJOY’ yellow nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTAJOY’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘NECTAVISTA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,139) yellow nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent, and a yellow nectarine tree named ‘ASF0600’ (not patented) which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘NECTAJOY’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d′Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NECTAJOY’ yellow nectarine tree blooms during February near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms between January 30 ^(th) and March 2^(nd). The blooming period is considered very-early. However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NECTAJOY’ ripens generally in July, approximately 3 or 4 days before the first fruit of ‘BIGTOP®’ yellow nectarine variety (non patented). More particularly, it usually ripens between June 30^(th) and July 25^(th). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

-   -   FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows the leaves of the         variety and four typical specimens of the fruit, two having been         cut in half with the pit being left into one of the halves for         depicting fruit flesh and pit of the new variety.     -   FIG. 2 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical         fruits of the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’ at ripening time.     -   FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at         different development stages, and the reverse and side view of         the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of         the new variety.     -   FIG. 4 is a color photograph different views of the stone of the         new variety, one of the stones having been cut in half, and the         kernel of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NECTAJOY’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered very early; flowering begins at the end of January or early in February. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size. Petals are pale pink to medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is orange yellow generally with a red pigmentation. The fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous and homogenous red blush on a red orange background. The stone is clingstone and his size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘BIGTOP®’ (non patented) yellow nectarine tree, ‘NECTAJOY’ variety blooms approximately 3 to 4 days earlier, as set forth above. Moreover, the maturity of ‘NECTAJOY’ variety is more grouped than for ‘BIGTOP®’ variety, which has a very long term maturity. ‘NECTAJOY’ fruits are superior to ‘BIGTOP®’ fruits; ‘NECTAJOY’ fruits color is more complete and homogenous than ‘BIGTOP®’ fruits color. ‘NECTAJOY’ fruits are rounder, without mucron and lenticels and have a semi-sweet taste. ‘NECTAJOY’ variety produces a higher quantity of both flowers and fruits than ‘BIGTOP®’ variety.

Compared to ‘NECTAVISTA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,139), which is the female of the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’, the latter shows large petal size whereas the petals of ‘NECTAVISTA’ are medium in size. The time of flowering of the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’ is considered very early whereas the variety ‘NECTAVISTA’ blooms early during the season. The fruits of the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’ ripen generally later than the fruit of ‘NECTAVISTA’. Indeed, the time of maturity is considered early for ‘NECTAVISTA’ and early to medium for the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’. Moreover, ‘NECTAJOY’ is a variety having a low chilling requirement compared to ‘NECTAVISTA’.

Compared to its male parent ‘ASF0600’ (non patented), which has a balanced taste, the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’ has a semi-sweet, sugary and aromatic flavor. The time of maturity is considered very early for ‘ASF0600’ and early to medium for the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their second and third growing season (first and second year of production) for trees, fruits, leaves and stones and in their third growing season (second year of production) for the flowers, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including             current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently             reduces to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered medium vigorous.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit             set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit             into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit             set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the             tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during             the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘NECTAJOY’ variety has naturally a semi-flared to             semi-upright shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages             were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12             degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant             to frosty springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 5.0 to 5.8 centimeters in diameter             when measured at a distance of approximately 30 centimeters             above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of             lenticels reaches 5 or 6 lenticels per cm². The lenticels             range in size from approximately 3.0 millimeters to 6.0             millimeters in width, and 2.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered             brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a grey green color (RHS Greyed             Green 197 A) or a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 C) similar             to the outside of lenticels color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter of approximately             6.0 millimeters, and branches in their second growing season             have a diameter from 18.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 45 degrees and 55             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—         -   Internode length.—Generally between 15.0 and 20.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199             B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered a pale yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to             RHS Yellow Green 144 B) on lower part of new shoot tips,             whereas the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple             to red purple (RHS Greyed Orange 166 A or RHS Greyed Red 178             A). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is 3.39.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 140.0 to 161.0 millimeters with             leaf petiole. The medium length is 149.3 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 40.0 to 47.0 millimeters. The             medium width is 44.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Short, pointed and acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Green (RHS Yellow Green             147 A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green             147 B) than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—. Color. — Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow             Green 150 D). The color may evolve with maturity.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About             9.0 to about 11.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 2.0             millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 A). Lower surface. — Light green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 C).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium. Their length is             about 1.5 millimeters and their width is about 1.0             millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands per leaf. Type. —             Reniform. Color. — On young leaves, leaf glands color is             considered a light green (RHS Green 144 B to RHS Green 144             A). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown             (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B). Margins. —             Smooth and regular.         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of development             the floral buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their             form is evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions.             Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 12.0             millimeters wide and approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters             long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent upon the             proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development             (stage A), the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the             sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to             RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS             Greyed Purple 187 B and RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A at the             base). The corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of             pale pink (RHS Red purple 69 B to RHS Red purple 69 C) or             medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 65             C to RHS Red Purple 65 D). Petals color shows an evolution             until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end             of January or during February. The first bloom was observed             on Feb. 20, 2012.         -   Blooming time.—Considered very early-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of             full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period.             The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions             and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was             observed on Feb. 20 until Mar. 2, 2012, then Jan. 30 until             Feb. 16, 2013, then Feb. 6 until Feb. 17, 2014, then Feb. 20             until Feb. 28, 2015.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 to 19 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower (rosette type).         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately 30.0 to 35.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered very abundant, approximately             between 45 and 50 flowers per meter, with a good             distribution and a high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered large.         -   Length.—Generally between 19.0 to 21.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally 19.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             pale pink (RHS Red purple 69 B to RHS Red purple 69 C) or             medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 65             C to RHS Red Purple 65 D) when young, becoming slightly             darker until the end of blooming.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a             triangular form, narrower at the base. Length. —             Approximately 2.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 1.0             millimeter at the base. Color. — Red Purple (RHS Red Purple             73C).         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally             round-shaped and slightly dentate.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium and having an             average length of approximately 2.5 millimeters. Diameter. —             Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters. Color. —             Green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A to RHS Yellow Green N144 B).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.             Color. — At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is             open, the inner surface of the calyx is matt and considered             golden-orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed Red 178D).             The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown             color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to             RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B and RHS             Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B at the base).         -   Sepals.—Number. — Generally five sepals Surface texture. —             The outer surface has a short, fine pubescent texture. Size.             — Average. Length. — Approximately 5.0 millimeters. Width. —             Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Color. — At the stage F of             blooming, the inner surface of the sepals is matt and             considered golden-orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed             Red 178 D). The outer surface of sepals are colored with a             matt Red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B             to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B and             RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B at the             base).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 45 to 52             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Small in length. Color. — Orange             yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange             16 B) or red to red orange color (RHS Red Group N34A or RHS             Greyed Red Group 178 A). The color may evolve with maturity             to turn in a red orange color.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has an orange             yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS             Yellow Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The             present variety is considered auto-fertile             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 9.0 and 16.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally smaller             than the pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White N155 D) to light pink             (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 D). The color evolves and             becomes darker during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.             Length. — Approximately 16.0 to 20 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally higher than stamen length. Color. —             Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group 151 D)             at the beginning of flowering, it becomes lighter and             lighter (RHS Yellow Green 150 D) during the blooming and             sometimes very slightly pinky (RHS Red Group 36D) at the end             of the blooming. Surface texture. — Glabrous. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions             (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 7, 2011.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTAJOY             variety has an early to medium date of picking, and a             grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped within 8 to 12             days and the harvest is generally performed in two runs.             Last known picking times carry on from Jul. 7 to Jul. 18,             2011, then from Jul. 14 to Jul. 25, 2012, then from Jul. 13             to Jul. 20, 2013, then from Jun. 30 to Jul. 8, 2014 and from             Jul. 11 to Jul. 20, 2015.         -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Generally, size AA.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 70.0 to 76.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 60.0 to 74.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 185.0 to 220.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round to slightly elevated. The             fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the             suture's plane.         -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending             from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or             stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a similar red             color to the whole fruit color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0             to 16.0 millimeters. Average width is about 14.0             millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,             and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,             depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste.             — Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.             Tendency to crack. — None observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is red (RHS Greyed             Purple 187 A). The red blush covers 90% of the fruit skin             surface on an orange red background (RHS Orange Red N34 A).             The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin-surface can             vary, and is generally dependant upon the prevailing             conditions under which the fruit was grown. Ground color. —             The ground color covers approximately 10% of the fruit skin             surface, and is considered orange red (RHS Orange Red N 34             A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 9.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow             Green 145 B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a             long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,             melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not             fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality. — Considered             very good and aromatic. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet and             very aromatic. The Brix is generally superior to 12 and             acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. — Very             juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally between 12.0             to 18.0 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with             the number of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices;             and the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. —             Orange yellow flesh (RHS Yellow Orange 21 C) usually with a             red pigmentation (RHS Red 46 A). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the             fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 28.0 to 31.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 23.0 to 26.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short, pointed.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium to large size, with an             ovate-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's             dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced             toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief             is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The             surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent             ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and             having a dimension of approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters             at mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A to             RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or RHS Greyed Orange 166 D).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered medium. Length. —             Approximately 15.0 to 17.0 millimeters. Width. —             Approximately 9.0 to 11.0 millimeters. Thickness. —             Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered             flattened and elliptic. Pellicle. — The pellicle of the             kernel has a short pubescence. Color. — The kernel skin is a             orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS Greyed Orange             165 B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is             yellow white (RHS Yellow White 158 B to RHS Yellow White             158 C) and has a bitter tasting. The kernel and its embryo             are mature at the time of fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety NECTAJOY is considered to be a             nectarine tree having an early season of maturity, suited             for low chill areas, and which produces fruits that are             considered firm, attractively colored with a very luminous             red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for             uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full             maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to             their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be             commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or             fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.             After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks             at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             yellow nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and             decay due to its thick and strong skin. Although the new             variety of nectarine tree possesses the described             characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions             prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             France, it should be understood that variations of the usual             magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing             conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and             horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh having a red pigmentation, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of red blush on skin surface. 